How Fitness Guru Lia Bartha Starts Her Mornings

By Hilary Sheinbaum

Fitness personality Lia Bartha had been teaching private clients for more than a decade (plus group classes with a cult following in New York City) before COVID-19 changed, well, everything.

In the early days of the pandemic, Bartha pivoted and took her exercise instruction — a mix of highly unique pilates-based, low-impact movements — from in-person to Instagram Live every day and ultimately to the B The Method App, a platform that launched in August 2020. 

 

“It’s a holistic approach to fitness, so the mental and physical reset at the end of a session is addicting,” says Bartha. “It’s challenging but very meditative at the same time so you feel connected, open and strong! There’s a huge emphasis on mobility which helps to release tension and pain in the present and also in the future. Plus, the huge emphasis on the pelvic floor is a community favorite.”

To say it became a hit is an understatement. Since launch, B The Method has amassed celeb fans like Jenny Mollen, Martha Hunt and Aubrey Plaza and many others. The app even has a famous partner — Bartha’s real life partner Justin (Bartha, of course. You know — the cute actor from The Hangover).

It all sounds like a dream, right? So, we were curious… When she wakes up from her literal dreams, how does Bartha start her days? The Brooklyn-based mom of two gave us some insight about her morning routine.

Two Alarm Clocks = No Alarm Clocks

Bartha doesn’t set a physical alarm because she has two systems that work to her advantage.“Either my human alarm clock — my 5 year old, Ruby — comes waltzing in my room at exactly 6:40 a.m. when she gets out of bed. Or, I get up extra early on my own,” says Bartha. “I have always been a morning person since I was a child, so no matter what time I go to bed, I never sleep past 7 a.m. Wish I could sometimes, though!”

Upon Waking Up

After giving her daughters “smothering morning hugs and kisses,” and using the bathroom: it’s all about her eyes. “I either throw on some gel eye patches or spot treat puffiness under my eyes with an ice roller,” she says. Next, she drinks a glass of water with some Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C. “Then, I start making the girls some breakfast while sipping on some caffeine. I’m trying really hard not to check my work emails until after I drop the kids off at school so I can be truly present. It’s a hard habit to break but it has been very worthwhile, and they’ve noticed.”

Her Caffeinated Beverage and Breakfast

Bartha is sipping cold brew, coconut water, oat milk and ice during the early morning hours. “My breakfast of choice is usually fruit and nuts or nut butter,” she says. “I also love fruit and yogurt with granola.”

Morning Skincare and Makeup

Bartha’s step-by-step routine is as follows:

1. Start with Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Hydra-Gel Eye Patches or KITSCH Ice Roller to spot treat puffiness and tired eyes.
2. Massage Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser all over my dry face and then rinse a minute later. 
3. Layer Furtuna Biophase Oil all over my face and neck. 
4. Use the SolaWave Infrared Wand for 5 minutes or so, until the oil has absorbed completely. I start under my eyes then do my cheeks — mouth to temples— and forehead. 
5. Apply a light coat of Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
6. I follow with Ilia Brow Gel.
7. Quick eyelash curl using the SHISEIDO Eyelash Curler — it’s the best shape for almond eyes in my opinion — and a light coat of L’Oreal Voluminous Original Waterproof Mascara in Black. 
8. My new favorite is the RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Spell, so I’ll swipe that across the center of my face for a sun kissed look and dab a little bit on my lips. 

Teaching Class, Bright and Early

Bartha teaches private sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“Tuesday and Thursday mornings are solely for livestream classes on the app,” she says. “Since my business is currently virtual, I teach mostly back to back with a mini break in-between for a bathroom or snack break,” she says.

Completing Her Own Workout

“I get in my own workout from the livestream classes, private sessions with clients and filming for the app,” she says. “Also, since I live in a city, I spend a lot of time walking to and from places.” Because Bartha’s weeks are very busy and active, on the weekends she aims to rest her body. 

“I’ve solely been doing B the method about four to five times per week since inception a few years ago and have never looked back,” says Bartha. 

So, the question is: are you ready to wake up with Bartha and B The Method?